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It is normal to be apprehensive...my favorite part of being pregnant IS the labor...then I don't have to be prego anynore! LOL! Don't read too much into everything or you will make yourself sick worrying about everything...just go with the flow, be informed, but don't freak out. Do what you feel is right! GL!

Thank Deed. I have been hovering over my computer waiting for someone to respond to this. I know the docs want to educate you, but sometimes I think it is better to know less. LOL!

Well, I found out at 37 weeks on my last baby that I had a condition know as polyhydramnios which is why my breech baby had not engaged head down. So, I opted for an ECV, a couple days later with the threat of a c-section if she did not turn. I came home and researched polyhydramnios and darn near put myself in a coma of fear with all the things it "could" indicate...or all the "risks" it could carry (like uterine rupture). I scared myself silly! My baby was fine, I was fine, everything worked out...it is soooo easy to get caught up in the "what if's" and the "risks" that we are so dang scared to do anything at all. Risks are almost non-existant, though they are there. You just have to understand them and then put them in the back of your mind and go froward with what ever you have planned with the faith that all will be well...because most likely...it all will be well. I hope that helps you fel a little better!

Well in my experience with labor just a month ago (first time), was that the contractions were hurting so bad, I welcomed the epidural. I didn't feel the needle, it felt like a mosquito bite. I mean compared to the contractions it is nothing! The needle going into my hand hurt worse. But after the epidural took effect the pain from the contractions went away and I went to a 10 within a few hours. It was a blessing for me.

In the beginning, I was VERY scared to even think of labor. But now, I am 27 weeks and I think of it this way, I HAVE to go through it regardless, so why not get the pain meds? I plan on getting the epidural, I've never gone through this before, BUT I have had kidney stones and they say that's up there with chilbirth. I BEGGED for medicine. I just wouldn't look into it so deep and worry about it when the time comes. That's what I'm doing! I don't want to get freaked out about it because I know that I HAVE to deal with it!

You may consider trying "hypnobirthing"...google it to find a pract_tioner in your area. It's basically a process in which the pract_tioner uses proven relaxation techniques to put you in a mildly altered state of consciousness (you will still be aware of what's going on). This helps you to let go of your resistance to labor, which lessens the pain and your fear. No drugs, no needles, no scariness :-)

Good Morning...I too was really frightened about the Pain relieve methods of giving birth. But the epidural is a wonder drug! And that is no joke! I have a bad back and I was so worried and scared to get that but it worked wonderful. So please get it if it is offered because it helps and it makes delivery much more enjoyable.

I completely agree with you about the epidural and the labor pains hurting a lot. My water broke and they started the Pitocin- which started things really fast. I needed some kind of relieve fast. It was like night and day for me. There should be no worries for anyone wondering about it. There are risks for anything now a days, but you should enjoy the birth of your children not to be in complete pain!

One of the things that my doc wants me to try is sterile water injections. I guess they just inject a tiny bit of water in 4 different places in your lower back kinda like when you get a TB test, it blocks the pain from getting to your brain, but no side effects. You can still feel all the pressure and everything just not the pain. Sounds unrealistic to me but you might want to look into it if you are worried, she said that it is amazing and works great.

I forgot the down side, it feels like a really bad wasp sting or something some women even get the first one and then wont let the doc give her anymore because of how bad it stings. So it sucks for a few seconds but no ill effects for the baby.

I'm with Allison - I didn't get the epidural until I was 9 cm dilated. Contractions helped me redefine my fear of needles! Nothing is as bad as they are, I think. I did not even feel them putting the needle in and they had to redo it several times as we couldn't get it in just the right spot. Nada. All I felt was my uterus rebelling. :)